Sydenham Fire Station Improvements Planned

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29901, 15 August 1962, Page 17

Sydenham Fire Station Improvements Planned

With the new central headquarters providing accommodation for only 50 or 51 firemen, there would be a build-up at the Sydenham station, the Chief Fire Officer (Mr L. R. Osmond) reported to the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board last evening.

This was carrying out the board's plan for decentralisation. he said. Unfortunately the accommodation at Sydenham had been badly designed, with the men's quarters on the south side away from the sun. plans had been prepared by the architect for accommodation on the first floor, and it could be made attractive, but to comply with the Health Department’s requirements about £ 1000 would peed to be spent on toilet facilities.

“We can build Sydenham up to a two-machine turn-out station," he said.

Replying to Mr E. G. McGrath, Mr Osmond said: “I would venture to say that we will be in Sydenham for more than 10 years.” If the building was likely to be permanent as a southern station, it might be better to build an accommodation block behind the station, said Mr A S. Hollander. That would save any disgruntled feeling the men on the south side of the building might have when

they saw the better accommodation provided above. "If there is going to be an alteration, it should be a major alteration," Mr W. H. Mathison said. Other members commented that the land held in Barrington for a fire station could be sold by the board to offset costs if Sydenham was to be retained as the major southern district station.

Mr Osmond said that if a new station was built he would prefer to see it further out in the Hoon Hay district rather than in Barrington street

The board agreed that its building committee should consider a scheme for a permanent station at Sydenham, "and preferably for building an annex for single men.”